The Way U Look Tonight

by Dianne Castell

  “You are such a little ray of sunshine.”

  “Well, if that doesn’t work for you, maybe this will.” He yanked her close and kissed her hard. “I’m sorry I doubted you. I’m an ass. Does that help brighten your day?”

  “Maybe.”

  He smiled, feeling infinitely better. “Beats the heck out of telling me to go to hell.”

  “Crossed my mind.”

  The woman yelled, “Will you two get on with it. I’m drowning here.”

  Keefe hooked his arm around a tree and grabbed the top of Callie’s jeans at her back. The water, brown and muddy, roared. She reached both hands down to the woman. “Take my wrists,” she yelled. “Not as slippery as my hands.”

  The sitter grabbed hold as did Callie, and Keefe pulled her toward him, the baby-sitter scrambling out of the water and up the embankment. She flopped down on the ground, sobbing. “Thank you, I thought I was a goner.”

  Keefe grabbed her under her arm and pulled her up.

  “Let’s get to the house. And don’t try anything. You kidnapped my sister, and I’m in a really bad mood.”

  The woman nodded and stumbled toward the path. Then they all made their way back through the woods and across the lawn to the back door. Keefe pounded, and Digger opened it. “Our kidnapper?”

  “I had to do it,” the woman sobbed and trembled as she stepped inside.

  Thelma brought blankets, and they each took one and wrapped up, kicking their muddy shoes to the side. She said, “Let’s go into the kitchen. I have tea, and it’s warm in there. The house maid has Bonnie and is changing her diaper.”

  Keefe felt his adrenaline kick in again. “Who is this maid? Where is she and—”

  Thelma patted his cheek. “Bonnie’s fine, dear. Trust me. She’s okay. Rory’s with them.” Thelma led the way into the kitchen, and the baby-sitter all but collapsed into a Windsor chair. “Thank God you found me when you did. I would have drowned, or that g-h-o-s-t would have gotten me. He . . . He ran me off the road, and I knew you would all find me, and I tried to hide and ...” She broke into tears. “I had to take your baby or they were going to frame me for embezzlement.”

  Demar said from the doorway, “Who’s they?”

  “I used to work at River Environs. There were three presidents, and I think they were all defrauding the state. Jolie Baines was in accounting and came across a double set of books. They want her baby to get to her. I got a call from someone who said if I didn’t deliver the baby to them, they’d say I was the one keeping the double set of books. They told me to pose as a baby-sitter from Tot Tenders and take the baby. When I got to Memphis I was to call a number, and he’d tell me what to do. But then this . . . something ran me off the road and followed me into the woods. I even heard horses. Do you believe . . . horses in the woods.”

  Demar asked, “Where’s the number?”

  “In my purse in the car.”

  Demar peered down at the woman. “You and I are going into Memphis and make that call, and you better pray we make a contact and get the guy, or you’re going to prison for kidnapping for a very long time.”

  The woman stood. “I’ll help any way I can.” She turned to Keefe. “I’m sorry. I was so scared. I still am. These are bad people. They weren’t kidding about framing me.” She looked around. “Ever see that movie Ghostbusters? If I were you all, I’d find one for real or wear garlic around my neck or something. This place gives me the creeps.”

  She followed Demar from the room, and Thelma brought out scones. Digger sat. Georgette stood off to the side. Rory came in with Bonnie in his arms. He kissed the baby. “So now tell me what the hell happened. I’m guessing you got that sitter person since you’re all sitting here pretty as you please drinking tea.”

  Keefe ran his hands over his face. He couldn’t eat; he could barely breathe. His heart ached from what almost happened. He’d handed his baby sister over to a complete stranger because he was a fucking idiot and more worried about being right than concerned for her welfare. He should be condemned to hell for all eternity. How would he ever make this up to his father? If Rory disowned him, he had it coming.

  Rory wrapped a blanket around Bonnie. “So how’d this woman get into our house?”

  Keefe said, “Last night at Slim’s I said I was hiring Tot Tenders to replace Callie. Meaning whoever is behind this was at Slim’s. Even knew the timetable because I said by noon.”

  Callie said, “And this woman shows up early.”

  Georgette asked, “Do you think this has anything to do with the article in Soap Scoops?”

  Keefe shook his head. “I think whoever did that was after me. There was no way of knowing I would get rid of Callie and hire a person from this Tot Tenders when I saw the article. That was the break the guy was waiting for to get to Bonnie. When the happy hooker scheme at Kerby’s didn’t work to get to Mimi, he had to find something else. Then the article and my reaction played into his hands.”

  Rory asked, “What’s the happy hooker scheme?”

  Keefe said, “The womenfolk posed as hookers to meet up with someone to get information on Mimi. It didn’t work. Red boas were involved.”

  “And you didn’t ask me,” Thelma pouted.

  “Sorry I missed that one.” Rory added as Callie looked at Keefe and said, “That’s where I saw the guy with the mustache, remember?”

  Georgette gasped. “The guy who asked me to do the article and find out as much as possible about the O’Fallons had a mustache and a limp. That’s Bob.”

  Callie nodded. “Now we’re getting somewhere. Bet if we asked around at Slim’s someone saw him there last night, too. We should contact Demar and tell him this might be the guy he’s after. Bet he’s the informant at the Attorney General’s Office. A gopher for those three presidents at River Environs.”

  Georgette said, “So if he didn’t submit the article, who in the world did? I want to find out and beat them to a pulp for ruining my life.”

  Digger stood and draped his arm around her. “Now, sugar, it’s okay. I believe you now.”

  “Now?” Georgette stepped away from him. “Now when it’s convenient you believe me, Digger O’Dell.” Her eyes went to thin slits. “It’s going to take a heck of a lot more than calling me sugar for me to forgive you.” She poked him in the chest. “You didn’t trust me.” She poked him again, driving him backward. “You didn’t give me the benefit of a doubt. You just assumed I did you wrong.”

  “Well, I. . .”

  “Well, screw you and the horse you rode in on. You blew it, big boy.” She jutted her breasts and twitched her hips. “You can kiss these and my very fine multi-thousand-dollar ass good-bye. And don’t even try and follow me with your apology and sweet talk.”

  She strutted from the room, and Callie applauded along with Thelma and Rory.

  Digger stood tall. “Hey, I had my reasons, and they were good ones.”

  Callie pointed after Georgette. “Were they as good as that? But if we’re going to get to the bottom of this, what we have to do right now is consider the one person in town who has it in for Keefe.”

  Rory rocked Bonnie in his arms. “It shouldn’t be that hard.” He studied Keefe. “So tell me, son, who the hell have you pissed off this time?”

  Chapter 16

  Georgette folded her favorite red halter top and put it with the others in her suitcase. She’d come here because one man dumped on her and was leaving because another man did the same thing. There was a message here . . . forget men.

  But the one good thing that came out of all this was that Georgette Cooper knew who she was and she could live with that. In fact, she just might start a support group for people who did makeovers and how to deal with the new you. Chances were if you didn’t like what was on the outside, you probably weren’t too happy with what was going on inside either. Changing was a package deal.

  There was a knock on the door, and she opened it to ... “Callie?”

  She scurried in, still wrappe
d in her blanket, and eyed the luggage. “Don’t leave, least not yet. Everyone thinks I’m taking a bathroom break, but you and I need to talk. We need to figure out who’s responsible for this article. They messed up your life and mine, and they’re not getting away with it and making money from our misery.”

  Georgette said, “In my humble opinion it’s the men in our lives who are to blame. They could have believed us, but did they? No! I’m so mad at Digger I could wring his very handsome neck that attaches his very handsome face to his terrific torso.”

  Callie grinned. “I know exactly what you mean, but we need answers for our own peace of mind.” She sat on the floor. “Don’t want to get Thelma’s wing chair wet. I’m still soggy.”

  Georgette sat down beside her. “I don’t know what else we can do. I called the magazine, and they said they wouldn’t reveal their source.”

  “Even with me working at the magazine I couldn’t find out. She could have used a phony name; that happens a lot, too. Let’s see what we have. You lost your purse at Slim’s; it turned up at Slim’s which smacks of someone taking it and bringing it back. Which is someone in town who frequents Slim’s.”

  “That’s the whole town.”

  “I had a conversation with my sister and talked about my working for Soap Scoops, and on that day Bonnie had on the outfit that was in the article. So it’s not just Keefe they wanted to hurt, but me, too.”

  “How do I figure into all this?”

  “You supplied the how this happened. The why is revenge or greed or both. The what is the magazine.”

  “So, we’re looking for the who?” Georgette bit her bottom lip. “We know the same people pretty much like you and Keefe and Rory.”

  Callie’s eyes widened. “Eleanor Stick! She can’t get a job after Keefe told everyone she’s a terrible baby-sitter.”

  “I’ve seen her at Slim’s.”

  “And you took her place baby-sitting Bonnie.”

  “And she was on the street when my sister came to town. She almost ran into her. She found your purse at Slim’s and then she had all the information she needed to get even.”

  Georgette jumped to her feet. “We have proof, we have motive and all those other things they talk about in mysteries.” She assumed a sassy look. “We’re damn good, Callie Cahill. We should tell Keefe and Digger. We should confront this bitch and—”

  “No Keefe or Digger. Just you and me, woman to woman with the Stick.”

  “My car’s around back, and you need to get into dry clothes.” Georgette pulled out jeans and an aqua T-shirt and a matching parka.

  Callie looked at them. “I’m taking you shopping with me. You have great taste.”

  Georgette beamed. She’d never felt so good, even when she got all done over. “Thank you, and thank you for including me in this and being my friend.”

  Callie took Georgette’s hand. “No matter how this plays out we’ll always be friends.” She changed, and when she came out of the bathroom, Georgette said, “Let’s do it.”

  Callie stuck her head out the door, catching a glimpse of the maid as she ducked around the corner, least she guessed it was the maid. Who else would be darting around corners? “The coast is clear.”

  They crept down the stairs and out the front door, voices still in the kitchen. Georgette started the car and went slowly down the drive, the gray SUV still on the road. Georgette said, “The rain’s slacking off; by noon it will be a sauna out here. Where should we look for Eleanor?”

  “My vote is Slim’s. She’s got to be feeling very confident about the place. Her showing up for lunch has definite promise.”

  Georgette pulled into the parking lot. They got out and dashed into the bar. The early lunch crowd trickled in but no Eleanor. Georgette started for one of the back tables, and Callie took her arm and guided her toward the ones in front. “We did nothing wrong, and we are not hiding.”

  Sally came over with two iced teas and sat down. “Wow, you’ve had some morning.” She leaned across the table and whispered, “Did you catch that guy the baby-sitter is working for? Demar called on his way to Memphis, but I’ve kept my mouth shut, which is taking a lot of willpower, I might add. Whoever he is he must have been right here at the bar soaking up my beer, Dad’s barbecue and the town gossip, waiting for his chance to set a trap for Bonnie.”

  Callie sipped her sweet tea. “And the article in the magazine was it.”

  Sally said, “I know neither of you is responsible for it. We all tried to help Mimi and Bonnie. No matter how bad it looks I know you are both innocent.”

  Georgette smiled. “But we know who did write the ar—”

  “Oh, Georgette,” Rachel squealed as she rushed up behind Georgette and hugged her around the neck. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  She went to the other side of the table and held out her left hand for all to see, a new gold wedding band. “I’m married!” She squealed again, then blushed and giggled. “Clyde and I went into Nashville and just. . . did it. I know it’s sudden, but I love him, I do. He does construction, working on bridges, and now he got a job working with a crew to build houses here in town. He’s so nice to me.” She lowered her voice and whispered, “And the sex. Oh, my God, the sex.”

  She giggled again and blushed, her pretty face even more lovely. “I’m thinking about opening my own interior decorating shop to help make ends meet. We’ll do fine. I’m so happy.”

  Sally stared from the ring to Georgette. “Clyde Miller? You married Clyde Miller?”

  Rachel bit her bottom lip. “Yes, and I love him to death. I am so ready for the simple life. We’re going to live here, in a little house he’ll build for us. It’s like a fairy tale. We can have a little white picket fence and roses.”

  Sally said, “Uh, just a minute, girl. Those bridges Clyde works on . . . He builds them as in his firm designs and constructs them. He’s known all over the world, one of the best in the field. Written up in Time magazine. I think he’s building a bridge in Saudi Arabia at the end of the year.”

  Rachel stared, not breathing, then managing. “No, not my Clyde. You got the wrong Clyde.”

  Sally nodded. “Sweet thing, how many Clyde Millers are there in this town? Your little hometown boy is the local boy wonder.”

  Rachel plopped down. “I... I had no idea. He dresses in raggedy jeans, Gap T-shirts. One has a hole by the neck; it’s his favorite. He plays the guitar—really well, I might add. I cut his hair because it was too long.”

  Georgette went over to her sister and hugged her. “You will be so happy, Rachel. You were made for this. You love Clyde for who he is not what he is, and the rest will fall into place.”

  “He could have told me.”

  “He probably did, but you just saw a simple man and you loved him. What could be better than that?”

  “Saudi Arabia? Do I even know where that is? Do they drive camels or something?”

  Georgette laughed. “They do the car thing, lots of oil. They can afford Clyde.”

  Rachel stood. “I had no idea.” She hugged her sister. “I didn’t plan on this. Think I can still have my roses?” She smiled at Georgette. “But none of it really matters, does it, as long as I have Clyde. I wish you the same thing, Georgette. I really do. I wish you love and fun and some craziness you didn’t count on. But this is a lot of craziness.” She bit at her bottom lip. “What do I do?”

  “Go find Clyde?”

  She giggled. “You know, I think I’m still opening that decorating shop. Someone’s got to spruce up these new homes Clyde is building, and if he’s off globe-trotting, the kids and I will be here keeping the home fires burning.” Her grin grew. “Ta-ta.”

  Georgette sat down as Rachel scurried away. “Kids? Home fires? This is not the Rachel I knew back in Savannah. All her life she wanted to marry a rich and famous man, and it happened when she didn’t plan for it at all.” She laughed. “I’ve never seen Rachel this happy.”

  “And soon you will be, to
o,” Callie said as she nudged her. “Here comes operation big mouth.”

  Sally looked perplexed, and Georgette grabbed her purse and said, “Come with us. This will be interesting.”

  Sally followed, mumbling, “This is the day for interesting.”

  Eleanor sat down at one of the back tables, and immediately Georgette, Callie, and Sally joined her. She sneered. “What the heck do you three want?”

  Georgette set her purse on the table. “I say you owe us a free lunch with all that money you made from the article you sold to Soap Scoops.”

  Eleanor huffed. “I have no idea what you’re talking . . . Oh, what the heck. You’re right. I did it and proud of it.” She fluffed her tight bun. “I wrote the article and sent it to that magazine.” She looked at Callie. “The one you write for. I got that little tidbit when I heard you talking to your sister, or more like yelling at your sister. You do have a temper, missy.”

  Georgette said, “And when you found out about the magazine, you already had the phone.”

  Eleanor grinned, and it looked kind of scary, like that Chuckie doll in the movies. “That’s exactly right, a chance to get revenge on Cahill here for taking my place at the O’Fallons’ and get even with that holier-than-thou Keefe. Until he opened his big mouth I could make a living at baby-sitting, and then I got nothing; the well dried up.”

  She glared at Callie. “So, tell me, how does it feel to have your life turned upside down with no chance of ever getting it back? Keefe will never trust you, and that’s plumb awful for him because he’s nuts about you and you’re nuts about him and now nothing will ever come of any of it all because of me.”

  Her Chuckie grin grew. “No one would believe the baby-sitter could pull something like this off, and it’s your word against mine anyway. Not so great with the shoe on the other foot, is it, my dears? Fact is, I’m going after Cahill’s job at Soap Scoops. I’ve got what it takes.”

  “Ruthless?” Sally offered.